Three Seattle Seahawks players who need to return by 2024
While there is still hope for the Seattle Seahawks in 2023, it makes more sense to completely give up on them than to hope for the playoffs. With the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles up in Weeks 14 and 15, respectively, Seattle is 1-4 in its last five games. Even with a 9-8 record, Seattle would still miss the playoffs.
Of course, general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll are still likely considering 2023, but they also probably have 2024 in the back of their minds. Strong teams plan several years ahead of time rather than week by week. Even though Seattle hasn’t played well lately, since 2010 they have outperformed most teams in terms of success.
Glancing ahead and considering which players have performed well this year, I propose three ideas for upcoming free agents that Seattle ought to retain for the upcoming campaign. Maybe just a one-season re-signing. However, there is a three-year re-signing window for the other players.
Bobby Wagner needs to return to the Seahawks.
Bobby Wagner, who I know will be 34 years old in 2024, seems like a different kind of cat, even though that is old for an NFL linebacker. Or osprey, in the case of the Seahawks. Wagner is projected by Pro Football Focus (beware of the paywall!) to be the 10th-best linebacker in the NFL in 2023. Is he excellent at covering? No, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t had a successful career that should earn him a spot in the first ballot Hall of Fame.
Wagner is not expected to be costly in free agency either. Nor is it his fault for that. Simply put, NFL teams dislike paying players who are older than 30 at some positions. Linebacker and running back are two different positions. Wagner is trending toward being better than most seasons since 2017 in terms of tackles for loss (6), quarterback hits (5), and sacks (2.5), albeit not as good as 2022).
Wagner will make $7 million in 2023, so it makes sense to bring him back for that amount in 2024. Although Seattle does give up more points this year than it did in 2022, Wagner’s primary strength is the run defense, which is stronger. Wagner ought to be able to assist those coaches in carrying out the plan if the Seahawks can find coaching that improves player-coach communication during the game and with the game plans.
